Brain Health Matters

Renowned author and psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen has spent his life researching the brain. Using SPECT scans, he has examined more than 135 000 brains from people all over the world and has some conclusive evidence to show what hurts the brain and what helps the brain.

“ When your brain works right, you work right; and when your brain is troubled you are much more likely to have trouble in your life”. Dr Daniel G. Amen M.D.

Children are being diagnosed with autism, attention and behaviour disorders, mental illnesses and anxiety disorders at an alarming rate. Our population is seeing worrying trends in the rates of diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, obesity and dementia.

Our brain is involved in everything we do and it controls our intelligence, our character and our personality. Making choices that we know are good for our brain will make us happier, smarter, physically healthier and more successful.

Let’s take a look at these choices.

What HELPS the brain?

good nutrition

new learning

exercise

meditation

fish oil

positive connections with your community

adequate sleep

What HURTS the brain?

drugs

alcohol

brain injuries

exposure to toxins

obesity

lack of sleep

poor blood flow

poor nutrition

stress

lack of movement

excessive screen time

The message is clear to us all:

Care about your brain and teach your children to do the same.

Amen Clinics offer a free on-line course called ‘Brain Thrive by 25’. It was created for parents, teens and educators and offers practical skills to enhance the function of the brain. The title refers to the fact that the female brain is malleable until aged 25 and the male brain until 28. I highly recommend it as a resource to help your children be more successful in school and life. You’ll find it under the university tab at danielamenmd.com